Machine for packing products



July 5, 1949. E. H. CARRUTHERS' MACHINE FOR PACKING PRODUCTS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Apri1 l7, 1944 ATTORNEY v IN vew roR I Eat/v HUNTER CARROT/{5R5 Jufly 5, 1949. E. H. CARRUTHERS MACHINE FOR PACKING PRODUCTS INVENTOR Ens/v HUNTER anew/1m:

' AITOHNEV July 5, 1949. E. H. CARRUTHERS MACHINE FOR PACKING rnonucws 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 17, 1944 I I I p A TTORNEV Patented July 5, 1949 UNITED STAT-ES PATENT crews MACHINE FOR PACKING PRODUCTS Eben H. Carruthers, Warrenton, :0reg., assignor to E. H. Carruthers 00., 'Warrenton, Dreg a corporation of Oregon ApplicationApril 17, 1944, Serial No. 531,491

16 Claims. 1

.My invention relates to a machine for packing articles, particularly articles of variable weight,

in 'a container to the end that the total weight of thearticles or material in the container may be substantially predetermined. Reference is made to my .copending applications, Serial No.

398,460,.filed June 1-7, v1941, and now abandoned;

Serial No. 444,510, filed May 26, 1942, now Patent No. 2,470,916, dated :May .24, 1949, and Serial No. 466,697, filed November23, 1942,'now:Patent No. 2,434,607, dated Jan. 13, 1948. The apparatus of my invention has .other uses but, for purposes of illustration, it will be described and has been originated primarily for use in the tuna packing industry.

The present practices in the tuna industry-employed in packing the fish are both time consuming andexpensive. The :pre-cooked fish are carefully split lengthwise into their natural quarter sections. These sections are then,-afterbeing cleaned, sliced perpendicular to their lengths into .pie'cesof a length somewhat less than the height .of the'canor other container into which they are to be packed. It will :be appreciated since the tuna vary in:sizethat the quarteredsections vary in size and weight. Moreover, each fish 'varies'in cross section from head to tail. These two :factors, after quartering and slicing, result in pieces of tuna which although of uniform length vary greatly'in size and weight.

The present hand method of packing tuna is entirely a hand labor operation requiring a large number of reasonablyskilled operators. Moreover,'the'tuna is'broken upbyreason of excessive handling and fitting-0f the pieces during packpacking end of the machine of the above .men-

tioned copendin-g applications.

An object of my 'invcntion'is to providesa machine for packing a pluralityo'f articles in a can or-other container.

Another object of my invention to provide :a L

32 .machine for conforming and compacting a pluralityiofideformablearticles into the shape of a canorcther'container into which they are to be .packed :and then transferring the shaped and compacted-.mass to a can or other container.

My invention .further contemplates the provision Of-amachine-cOmpr-isingatcompactor adapt- .ed-tozconform and-shapeamass of materials so that itsmay be fitted withina-can or other container .and the provision iOf means for automat-' ically transferring the compacted mass .to the container while .the mass (and the cans are maintained in continuous motion.

Otherlobjects and advantages of .my invention will be pointed out iin theclaims and will be ap parent from the following description, when taken :in =connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is alfront elevation-of the machineof my invention;

Fig. 2 is :a =topiplan view thereof Fig. "3 is .a plan wiew showing the mechanism Ior properly spacing and timing the flow of cans to the .filli-n g .position;

Eig. 4-is a rear elevation of a iportionoithe machineishowing acompactor head and a can sub-- stantially in filling position;

"Fig. 5 :is a view taken substantially on the line '5.5 of Fig. 4. in the direction indicated by the arrows;

:Fig. 6 a wiew showing the chain'ortconveyor and the methodemployedlforrattaching the spacring :elements for the cans and trays;

Fig. --7 is a side elevatiomof Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a atop, plan mew of one of the com pactor heads in expanded gposition;

Fig. lisza wiewof onelof thecompactor heads :in contracted position;

Fig. I.0-is a viewtaken substantially on the line I'll-10 of :Fig. 9.;

Fig. -l-1is a side elevation of the compactor head :shown in .Fig. 8.

In :my prior application, Serial No. 4444;510, I haveshown -a (machine particularly .suited to the lpa'cking-of turwrwhich weighs the pieces-of fish,

sorts "them into separate (compartments in ac- -cordanceiwiththeirweight and then selects a plurality of pieces whose combined weight is substantialllyequal to-the: desired weight 'of fish to be placed :in a can \or other container. The arrangement shown in thatwapplication also shows a conveyor for-carrying the selected pieces to a can filling position and shows .apparatussuitable for'compacting the 'piecesand transferring them to the caller other container. The present application is directed to improvements in the packing end of the machine shown in the above mentioned application.

The pieces of fish from the selecting mechanism are brought to the packing station by means of a conveyor, generally indicated by the numeral H, on trays indicated at l2. While automatic means might be employed for transferring the contents of the trays to a compacting mechanism or chuck, generally indicated by the numeral l3, preferably for simplification of the machine an operator stands approximately in the position indicated by the numeral [4 and transfers the several pieces of fish from the trays to the compactor chuck I3. The empty trays then continue their travel along the conveyor I I in the direction indicated by the arrow IS.

The compacting mechanism or chuck I3 is expansible and contractible in a manner presently to be described. In the position shown in Fig. 2,

the compactor is in an expanded or open position in which condition the operator may conveniently transfer the pieces to the compactor by hand. The compactor is then contracted so as to conform the plurality of pieces of fish or other material to the shape and size of a can or other container in which the mass is to be packed.

The compactor is preferably continuously driven and during the course of its travel is inverted prior to its approach to the can filling position shown in Fig. 1. The cans are brought to the filling position by a conveyor, generally indicated by the numeral H, in proper spaced relation with the compactor or chuck and in timed relation with the movements thereof. Suitable mechanism, presently to be described, is provided for transferring the compacted mass from the compactor heads or chucks to the cans.

The machine is driven by a driving element I8 which is driven by a prime mover in any suitable manner. The driving element 18 is mounted on a shaft l9 carried in the side bars of the main frame 2i. Mounted on the end of the shaft is a sprocket 22 which drives the chain 23 of the conveyor II. A shaft 24 is mounted at the other end of the machine and carries on one end thereof a sprocket 26 over which the chain 23 passes. In this manner the trays carrying the pieces of fish or other material are carried to the position for transfer of the pieces to the compactor or chuck.

The shaft H) has also mounted thereon a sprocket 27 which drives a chain 28 through which a sprocket Z9 loosely mounted on a shaft 3| is driven. The shaft 3| is carried by the frame and supports a clutch, generally indicated by the numeral 32, a gear 33 and a sprocket 34.

Means are provided for stopping the operations of the machine should an interruption in the proper flow of trays or cans occur. Such means comprise a stop arm 36 which extends across the machine in a position convenient for the operator to actuate without changing position. The stop arm is pivoted at 31 to the frame of the machine and has pivoted thereto at 38 an elongated rod 39. At the other end of the rod there is pivoted, as at 4|, a bell crank 42 which is pivoted at 43 on the frame of the machine. The other arm of the bell crank is pivoted at 44 to a rod 46 which is pivoted at 4'! to a clutch lever 48. The clutch lever 48 is pivoted adjacent its center with respect to one element of the clutch 32 and pivoted at its end to a rod 49 pivoted to the frame of the machine at Should any interruption in the proper flow of trays or cans occur or should the materials not be properly compacted, the operator may throw the lever to the right, as viewed in Fig. 2', to thereby through the above described mechanism disengage the clutch and stop the opera- 5 tion of the machine. It will, of course, be understood that the sprocket 2S and one element of the clutch 32 operate together and are loose with respect to the shaft 3i while the other element of the clutch 32 is splined and shiftable along the 0 shaft 32 by means of the clutch lever 48.

The sprocket 3 E is fixed to the shaft 3| and drives a chain 52 which drives a sprocket 53 fixed to a shaft 54 carried by the frame of the machine. Fixed to the shaft 54 are a pair of sprockets 58 which drive chains 57. The chains 51 drive sprockets 58 fixed to a shaft 59.

Mounted on pins 6| (Fig. which extend through the links 62 of the chain 51 are arms #33 which are preferably rigidly connected to a plate 6d. At the forward end of the plate 64 bosses 56 are provided to which are pivotally connected links 6? which are pivoted on the pins 6| of the chain 51. Thus the plate 6 3 is supported by and carried by both chains 51 through the arms 83 and links 67. The pivotal connection of the plate Eli to the links 6'! allows for the shortening of the distance between the forward and rearward chain pins by which the plate is supported, as the chains wrap around the sprocket.

Fixed with respect to the plate 64 by means of screws -38 is a plate or support member 69. The plate 59 has a central opening H in which a member or actuating element, generally indicated by the numeral 12, is rotatable. A member 13 is bolted to the member 12, as indicated in the drawings at H, and constitutes part of the actuating element 72. The member 13 overlaps the inner margin of the opening ll in the plate 69. Thus the actuating element l2, 13 may be rotated in the opening "H but is confined against upward or downward movement, as viewed in Fig. 10.

Centrally located with respect to the actuating element 12 is a bore for the reception of a plunger rod 16. Mounted on the plunger rod 16 is a plunger 11 which normally lies in a recess 18 formed in the actuating element 12. A spring 19 is confined between an enlargement 8| formed on the actuating element and a backing plate 82 fixed on the plunger rod. Upon actuation of the plunger rod the plunger is moved from the solid line position, shown in Fig. 10, to the dotted line position shown therein and is returned to normal position by the action of the spring 19.

The plate or support member 69 is provided with a plurality of bosses 83 which are provided with bores for the reception of pins 84 which are fixed in the bosses by means of set screws 86. Pivotally carried by each of the pins 84 is an arm or chuck finger Bl. Any desired number of fingers may be provided. In the drawings I have shown six fingers, the pivot points of which are equidistant from a central axis.

Each of the fingers has an end portion 88 formed on the arc of a circle or rather cylinder. The are of the cylinder upon which the end portions 83 are formed is such that when the fingers are shifted to their contracted position, as shown in Fig. 9, they form a circle or cylinder which is slightly smaller in diameter than the diameter of the can which the compacted mass of tuna is to occupy, as shown in Fig. 10. The arcs 88 terminate at 89 and from these points the fingers are preferably curved on arcs 91 each of which is, in the preferred form, the arc of a circle or cylinder, the radius of which is preferably equal to the dis- 'tance between adjacent centers about which the fingers swing.

With the fingers curved, as above described, the point 92 of one finger maintains contact with the arc iii of the adjacent finger throughout the movement of the fingers from the position shown in Fig. 8 to that shown in Fig. 9. This arrangement is extremely important particularly after compression of the material starts to take place. The tuna is readily deformable and when placed in the chuck or compacting elementwith the parts in the position shown in Fig. 8, an uninterrupted wall is maintained about the pieces. There are no openings in this wall in which the tuna may lodge. This continuous wall is maintained while the chuck is being contracted and preferably throughout the movement of the fingers from the position shown in Fig. 8 to that shown in Fig. 9. Moreover, the pieces of tuna are gradually compacted by pressure exerted on all sides so that the mass is uniformly compacted.

The fingers are actuated by means of links 93 which are pivoted to the fingers at'94 and pivoted at their opposite ends by means of pins 90 to the actuating element l2, I3. Thus a shifting of the actuating element I2, l3 from the position shown in Fig. 8 to that shown in Fig. 9 shifts the pivot points 96 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 8. This action exerts pressure on the fingers to pivot them against the resistance of the pieces of fish in the chuck.

Of particular importance is the fact that the links in moving from the position shown in Fig. 8 to that shown in Fig. 9 are shifted slightly past a dead center position. That is, the pivot point 96 moves around the pivot point 90 to a position slightly beyond a line drawn from the axial center of the chuck through the center of the pivot 94. Thus, when the fingers are in the position shown in Fig. 9, the mass is compacted and the fingers are locked in the position of the parts shown so that the pressure of the mass can not open it. This is a distinct advantage since during the course of travel of the chuck or compactor no means need be provided for holding the actuating element l2, F3 in the position shown in Fig. 9, since the links 93 serve to lock the chuck.

The projecting end of the actuating element 72, it is provided with a pair of rollers 96' and 917. These rollers are engaged by cams 98 and 99 which lie in the path of movement of the chuck or compactor (Fig. 2). As the chuck moves to the right, as shown in Fig. 2, the roller 96 engages the cam 98 and shifts the actuating element l2, it from the position shown in Fig. 8 to that shown in Fig. 9. With the mass compacted and the fingers locked in contracted position the chuck continues its movement and is inverted to the position shown in Fig. 1. After transfer of the material from the chuck to the can, the roller 97 engages the cam 99 so as to shift the actuating element l2, it from the position shown in Fig. 9 to the position shown in Fig. 8 and thereby open the chuck.

It will be noted when the chuck or compactor is open, the open area as shown in Fig. 2 is relatively large so that the operator has no difficulty in loading the chuck with loose pieces of fish. This is one of the major advantages -of the chuck shown in the present application over that shown in my Patent No. 2,434,607. If the top of the chuck were open, as the chuck closed to compact the mass, there would be a tendency for the mass to bulge upward. To prevent this I have provided novel means for applying a cover to the chuck which is adapted to travel "with the chuck during the contraction thereof. This arrangement also maintains the top of the mass smooth and level so that the mass may be fitted into the can and the top surface of the mass make uniform contact with the bottom of the-can.

For the purpose of accomplishing this I have provided on the-end of the shaft 59, a cam IUI shown more 'clearly in Fig. 4. A roller 102 is mounted on the=end of an "arm I03 and is adapted to ride on the cam. The otherend of the arm I03 is pivoted, as shown at I04, to a boss I06 provided-on the frame. Piv'otedbetween the ends of the arm 103, as shown at I01, is a rod I 08.

The rod 5'00 (Fig. 5-) extends upward through a bore formed in a cylindrical element I09 carried 'by the frame. A cylindrical element III is concentric with and rotatably supported on "the cylindrical element I09. 'A spring '2 is interposed between the bottom of the cylindrical element III and a fixed part of the frame so as to normall urge the cylindrical element II'I -in an upward direction. This upward force is transmitted'to the rod I 08 by'm'eans of a nutand washer assembly I I3 which maintains the roller I02 in engagement with the cam IOI. Rigid with the cylindrical element III is-an arm IMwhich carries at its outer end adisk or'plate I IS. The disk has a planular under surface an'djis of a'diameter such as to cover the top ofthe chuck when the chuck is in the open position shown in Fig. '8.

The cylindrical element II I, arm H4 and plate H6 are free to rotate on the cylindrical element I09 and also to move upward'and downwardwith respect thereto. In its normalpos'ition'the plate H6 lies above the cam 98. The cam I'0I, since it is driven by the shaft 59, is rotated in timedrela tion with the movement of the chucks to the right, as viewed in Fig. 2.

When the chuck starts to close by reason of engagement of the roller with the cam 93, the roller I02 rides up on the high point or lobe of the cam IOI, thus bringing the plate IIB into engagement with the chuck and the .top surface of the contents thereof against the action of the sprin H2. The continued movement of the chuck by reason of the pressure engagement of the plate with the chuck, carries with it the plate which, as previously mentioned, is free to swing about the cylindrical element I09. Thus the pieces of fish or other contents of the chuck are confined at the bottom and top and pressure is applied from all sides to compress the materials into a compact mass.

When the parts are in approximatel the position shown in Fig. 2 the chuck is fully closed and locked in the manner previously described. The roller I02 rides ofi the lobe ofthe cam I0! and the spring I I2 lifts the plate off the chuck. The plate then swings clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 2, in position to receive the next chuck. The plate is swung for the reception of the next chuck by means of a spring I'I.5 one end of which is attached to an arm secured to the arm IM and the other end of which is attachedtoa fixed part of the frame (Fig. 2). A pair of stops I20 properly position the plate over the chuck.

The chucks mounted on the chainil are maintained in continuousmotion as long .as the clutch 32 is engaged. The chucks are spaced on the chain with equal spacin between them so that the chucks and the cans maybe moved in timed relation with each other and the massof material in the chuck transferred 'tothe cans while motion 'is maintained. in Fig. "3 Ihave shown the mechanism for timing the movement of and spacing the cans so that a can and a chuck may move along, as viewed in Fig. 4, with their open ends facing and in alinement with each other.

The cans are brought to the machine by means of a chute or any suitable type of conveyor and enter a can track II'l' in which they are spaced and timed. Referring to Fig. 2, the gear 33 drives a gear H8. The gear H8 is fixed to a shaft II9 which has rigidl secured thereto a sprocket I2I which drives a chain I22.

A frame I23 which carries the can track II '1 also carries a shaft I24 having rigidly secured thereto sprockets I26 and I21 (Fig. 3). The chain I22 drives the sprocket I26 to thereby rotate the sprocket I27 which carries with it in a direction to the left, as viewed in Fig. 3, a chain I28. Carried by the frame I23 is a shaft I29 which has fixed thereto sprockets I3I and I32 and, loose with respect thereto, sprocket I33. The chain I28 drives the sprocket I32, shaft I29 and sprocket I3I.

A third shaft I34 carried by the frame I23 has sprockets W5 and I3! fixed with respect thereto. A chain I38 drives the sprocket I36, shaft I34 and sprocket I31. A chain I39 is 'driven by sprocket I31 and drives the sprocket I33 loose on the shaft I29. The sprockets I3I. I36 and i3! are of such size as to cause a speed reduction and thereby drive the chain I39 at a much slower speed although in timed relation to the speed of the chain I28.

Mounted on the chain I39 are a plurality of spaced pins or fingers I II which serve to drive and space the cans as they are moved to the left. The can track is provided with a cut-out I 42 to accommodate the fingers and permit them to raise and engage the sides of the can, as viewed in Fig. 3, and urge them along the can track. The chain I28 has a plurality of pins or fingers mounted thereon which are mounted in pairs. The fingers in the same pair are spaced apart approximately by amounts substantiall that of the diameter of the can so that the cans are confined between the fingers and held in position. The can track has a cut-out M5 to accommodate the fingers and is provided with an offset, generall indicated at I26, to enable transfer of the cans from control by the fingers I (H to control by the fingers H3. timed relation of the chains I 39 and I28 is such that each can in turn is pushed by the fingers I II into a space between a pair of fingers M3.

Each pair of fingers is spaced along the chain I28 in accordance with the spacing of the chucks. Since the chains I28 and 51 are driven at the same speed the cans and chucks move along as shown in Fig. 1 with their open ends facing each other in superimposed relation. Carried by a boss I i'I mounted on the main frame of the machine is an arm I48 which constitutes a cam element. The cam element I48 is pivoted to the boss at I39 and has adjacent its opposite end a pivoted link I5I. The link I5I is pivoted to an arm I52 and is connected to a hand lever I 53 pivoted on the frame at i54.

Upon actuating the hand lever I53 the arm or cam element MS may be raised so as not to be in a position to actuate the plunger in the manner shown in Fig. 4. This permits the operator to stop the transfer of the material from the chuck to the can in case a can should jam under the plunger. The arrangement shown also permits an adjustment of the cam with respect to the It will, of course, be appreciated that the plunger so as to adjust the amount of depression of the plunger.

It will now be clear that as the chuck or compactor moves to the right as viewed in Fig. 4, a can is carried along by the fingers I43 in phase and in synchronism therewith. The open end of the chuck is in superimposed facing relation with the open end of the can. As the chuck travels to the right the plunger rod 16 engages the cam I48 and the plunger I'I forces the mass while in a compacted and conformed condition out of the chuck and into the can as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 10. After the chuck is emptied it is opened by engagement with the cam 99 ready to receive another charge of pieces of tuna. The filled cans continue their travel along the can track to other stations, which form no part of my present invention, where, for example, oil may be added to the can.

Referring now to Fig. 2 after the contents of the trays have been transferred to the chuck or compactor I3 they are urged to the right by the chain 23. Novel mechanism is provided for discharging the trays from the conveyor I I in timed relation with the movements of the chuck. For

this purpose the shaft 59 is provided with a sprocket IEI which drives a sprocket I62 fixed to :a. shaft I63. The shaft I63 is carried by the frame and has rigidly secured thereto a sprocket I66 which drives a chain I66. The chain I66 passes over a sprocket I6? mounted on a shaft I68 carried by the main frame. Pins or fingers I69 are carried by the chain and as the chain is rotated they are adapted to engage the trays as illustrated in Fig. 2, a cut-out I'II being provided in the conveyor to accommodate the fingers. The conveyor is offset as shown at I12 to facilitate the transfer of movement of the trays from the chain 23 to the fingers I69.

The fingers I69 by proper selection of the sprockets which drive the chain I66 are synchronized in speed with the movements of the chucks so that assuming the machine is set up for the selection of three pieces to make up the desired Weight three trays are discharged from the conveyor I i as each chuck passes the chuck filling station I4.

In starting the machine the operator fills up part of the conveyor II with empty trays to establish a stop of empty trays approximately in the position shown in Fig. 2. This position is the most convenient position for the operator to empty the contents of the filled trays into the chuck. The chain 23 runs at a higher speed than the discharge speed of the trays from the conveyor II and for this reason is constantly bunching the trays toward the right hand end of the conveyor. At times the conveyor may be filled with full trays from the station Ill to the left, as viewed in Fig. 2, but the three trays the operator is emptying will remain in substantially fixed relation with the chuck the operator is filling. As each chuck passes the operator, the tray discharge timing fingers allows three trays to pass (assuming that the selecting mechanism described in the above mentioned application is set for the selection of three pieces of tuna to make up the desired weight).

The fingers MI and I69 are attached to the chains in the manner illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. The fingers are riveted, as illustrated, to special side plates which are part of the chain and well known in the chain art.

It is believed that the operation of the machine is clear from the foregoing so that no further aarzaeea explanation theneofi is necessary. It will, of com-sate appreciated-i that the machine shown herein timed with relation to: the speed of selection of the pieces as illustrated in the above mentioned applications.

While: I have shown: and described the preferred form: of myinvention, it will be appreciated that various changes and modifications may be made therein; that, in particular, changes may be required, for example; if the material to be packed) isdifferent; or if the.- number of pieces selected: to make up the" predetermined weight is varied; The invention is, therefore, not limited tor: the apparatus shown but includes apparatus falling'within' the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A machine'for packing materialsin a series of container elements comprising; in combination, a series ofholding elements each having a flat bottom wall and an open end which is uppermost when the materials are placed in the hoiding elemcnts, means for moving the holding elements, means for moving the container elements with their open ends uppermost, means for turning one of said series of elements upsidedown so that the open ends of the two series of elements face each other, the means for movingthe holding elementsand the means for moving the container elements being coordinated so that-the holding elements and the container elements are opposite each other and move in synchronism, and" means for transferring the material from the holding elements through the open ends thereof into the container elements.

if; A machine for packing materials in containers comprising; in combination, holding elements, each having a fiat bottom Wall and an open end'which is uppermost when the materials are placed in the holding elements, means for moving theholding elements, means for moving the containers with their open ends uppermost, means for turning the holding elements upsidedown after themateri'al has been placed therein, the means for moving the holding elements and the means for moving the containers being coordinated so that the holding elements and the containers are opposite each. other and move in synchronism, and means for transferring the material from. the holding elements through the open ends thereof into the containers.

3. A machine for packing, materials in containers comprising, in combination, holding elements, each having a fiat bottom wall and an open: end which. isuppermost when the materials are: placed in the holding elements, means for I contracting. the holding elements, means for coveri'ng the holdingelements during their contraction, means for moving the holding elements, means for moving the containerswith their open ends uppermost, means for turning the holding elements upsidedownafter the material has been placed therein, the means for moving the holdin'g'elements and the means for moving the containers being. coordinated so that the holding elements and the contain ers-are opposite each other and move in synchronianand means for transferring the material from the holding elements through the open ends thereof into the containeI'S'.

i. A machine for packing materials in a container comprising, in combination, expansible and contractible holding means for containing the materials to be packed, means for expanding and contracting the holding means while the entire holding means is maintained in motion,

1'0 .meanszmovablewiththe holding means for locking the holding means in contracted position, means" for moving: acontainer in synchronism and in alignment with the holding means, and means for transferring the materials from the holding. means intcr the container while both are maintained in motion.

5. A: machine for packing materials in a con tainer: comprising; in combination, expansible and contractible holding: means, said holding means having an open-endsextendingz upward for the receptionof: the: materials to be packed, means for lockingthe holding means in contracted p'osition; means for moving theentire holding means and reversing-its positionso that the open. end extends downward; means for moving a container: in synchronism and alignment with the holding means with the open end thereof facing. the open end. of the holding means, and meansfor transferring" the materials from the holding means to the container while both are maintained in motion;

6. A machine for packing materials in a container; comprising, in combination, expansible and contractiblea holding means. said holding means having. an open end for the reception of the materials to: be packed when the holding means; is. expanded,. means for" closing said open endv during the contraction. of said holding m ans; and means for; maintaining the entire holding means and; the closing: means in. motion while the. holding. means is being contracted.

7.. A machine for packing materials in a container comprising; in combination, expansible and contract-ible holding means, said holding" means having an: open end for the reception of the materials to: be packed when the holding meansis expanded,meanssfor' moving the hold"- ing means, means for contractin the holding means movable. with the: holding means while the entire holding means ismaintained in motion; means for locking the holding means incontract'ed position, means for' transferring the materialito-a container'while: motion of theholding meansisamaintainedi and means for expanding' the holding: means after transfer has taken place and: while motion of the holding means is maintained:v

8. An expansible-and contractible device comprising, in combination, a plurality of elements having fixed pivots, a member upon which said elements aremounted; actuating means for swinging said: elements" about said pivots, means comprising; a cam for shifting said actuatingmeans to one position; means for' locking said actuating: means in said position, and means comprising a second cam' for unlocking: said actuating means and shifting said actuating. means to another position;

9-. An expansible and contractible device for compacting materials comprising, in combination. a support, a plurality of fingers pivoted on said support; each: of said fingers having a free end a portion; of which-is curved-on the arc of a V circleand a=second= curved portionadiacentsaid pivot, mean'sfor-moving'said fingers to and from a. contracted position with the free end of one finger substantially contacting thezsecond curved portion of? the adjacent/finger comprising an arm pivoted on each of said fingers, and an actuating element to which said arms are pivotallv connected. the curved ends of said fingers when contracted forming a circle encompassing the materials to be compacted.

10. A machine for packing materials in a container comprising, in combination, an expansible and contractible device having an open end for containing the materials to be packed, means for moving said device, means for closing said open end during the contraction of said device comprising a plate, means for moving said plate upward and downward into and out of contact with said device, and means for moving said plate with said device during a portion of the travel of said device so that the plate is maintained in covering relation with said device during the contraction thereof.

11. An expansible and contractible device for compacting materials comprising, in combination, a support, a plurality of fingers having fixed pivots on said support, each of said fingers having a free end, a portion of which is curved on the arc of a circle and a second configurated portion adjacent said pivot, and means for moving said fingers to and from a contracted position with the free end of one finger at all times being in substantially contiguous but moving relation to the configurated portion of the adjacent finger.

12. An expansible and contractible device for compacting materials comprising, in combination, a support, a plurality of fingers having fixed pivots on said support, said fingers being arranged about a central axis to form a complete enclosure about said axis, each of said fingers having a free end, a portion of which is curved on the arc of a circle and a second configurated portion adjacent said pivot, and means for moving said fingers to and from a contracted position with the free end of one finger at all times in substantially contiguous but moving relation to the configurated portion of the adjacent finger so that during the entire movement of said fingers to and from a contracted position said aXis is enclosed.

13. An expansible and contractible device for compacting materials comprising, in combination, a support, a plurality of fingers having fixed pivots on said support, said fingers being arranged about a central axis to form a complete enclosure about said axis, each of said fingers having a free end, a portion of which is curved on the arc of a circle and a second configurated portion adjacent said pivot, and means for moving said fingers to and from a contracted position with the free end of one finger at all times in substantially contiguous but moving relation to the configurated portion of the adjacent finger so that during the entire movement of said fingers to and from a contracted position said axis is enclosed, said means including a link pivotly connected to each of said fingers and an actuating member to which each of said links is pivoted.

14. An expansible and contractible device comprising, in combination, a plurality of elements having fixed pivots, a member having an opening upon which said elements are mounted, a cylindrical plunger closing said opening, actuating means for swinging said elements about said pivots, said elements being shaped and arranged so that when swung inward they form a cylinder in alignment with said plunger, means comprising, a cam for shifting said actuating means to one position, means for locking said actuating means in said position, and means comprising a second cam for unlocking said actuating means and shifting said actuating means to another position.

15. An expansible and contractible device for compacting materials comprising, in combination, a support, a plurality of fingers having fixed pivots on said support, said pivots being equally spaced about a central axis and the fingers forming a complete enclosure about said axis, each of said fingers having a free end, a portion of which is curved on the arc of a circle and a second portion toward said pivot which is curved on the arc of a circle the radius of which is substantially equal to the distance between two adjacent pivot points, and means for moving said fingers to and from a contracted position with the free end of one finger at all times being in substantially contiguous but moving relation to the second curved portion of the adjacent finger so that during the entire movement of said fingers to and from a contracted position said axis is enclosed, said means including a link pivotly connected to each of said fingers and an actuating member to which each of said links is pivoted.

16. An expansible and contractible device for compacting materials comprising, in combination, a support, a plurality of fingers having fixed pivots on said support, said pivots being equally spaced about a central axis and the fingers forming a complete enclosure about said axis, each of said fingers having a free end, a portion of which is curved on the arc of a circle and a second portion toward said pivot which is curved on the are of a circle the radius of which is substantially equal to the distance between two adjacent pivot points, and means for moving said fingers to and from a contracted position with the free end of one finger at all times being in substantially contiguous but moving relation to the second curved portion of the adjacent finger so that during the entire movement of said fingers to and from a contracted position said axis is enclosed.

EBEN H. CARRUTIERS.

REFERENCES CITED The following referenlces are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 904,643 Polk Nov. 24, 1908 1,072,428 Colbert Sept. 9, 1913 1,891,830 Nicholson Dec. 20, 1932 1,924,146 Almgren Aug. 29, 1933 2,048,156 Gardner et al July 21, 1936 2,044,813 Rooney June 23, 1936 2,180,349 DeBack Nov. 21, 1939 2,259,748 Hullhorst Oct. 21, 1941 2,263,909 Webb Nov. 25, 1941 2,319,900 DeBack May 25, 1943 2,340,744 Gruwell, Jr. Feb. 1, 1944 2,350,479 Stewart June 6, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 320,116 Great Britain Oct. 7, 1929 

